Political pair had kept a low profile
NEIGHBOURS on Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell’s street have revealed they’ve barely seen the couple in “weeks”.
The political pair, who were questioned as part of Operation Branchform investigation into SNP funds, are back in the headlines after the former first minister’s husband was re-arrested on Thursday and charged in connection with embezzling party cash.
Yesterday, as the political world reeled from the shock turn of events, Sturgeon told reporters outside her property it was an “incredibly difficult time” for her.
But residents of plush Uddingston told the Record the husband and wife duo hadn’t been seen together for a while.
One resident said: “I haven’t seen them together in weeks but they keep themselves to themselves.”
Another added: “I haven’t seen them out and about together for some time now.”
Other locals also reported that Murrell and Sturgeon had been keeping a low profile, with neither of them having been seen publicly for months.
One said: “I haven’t seen either of them for a wee while.”
Another resident added: “I can’t remember the last time I saw them.”
Murrell was pictured returning to the house late on Thursday evening after spending hours in police custody being questioned by officers.
Yesterday, two cars were parked on the couple’s driveway but the blinds and curtains at the home were closed.
There appeared to be little movement from within the property.
Patrolling police vehicles were seen passing by the home throughout the day.
Murrell’s charge comes as Operation Branchform officers continue to investigate how the SNP spent donations raised with the intention of fighting a second referendum on independence.
The probe was launched by Police Scotland in 2021 amid allegations that £600,000 was improperly spent on other activities.
Sturgeon, Murrell and former SNP Treasurer Colin Beattie were arrested last year as part of the ongoing investigation.
All three were later released pending further investigation.
The former first minister had stepped down from her role two months prior to her arrest, while Murrell and Beattie resigned shortly after.
At the time, Murrell – who had been in his role for more than 20 years – also resigned from his SNP membership.
In April 2023, a two-day police raid took place at Sturgeon and Murrell’s home as a large blue forensic tent was erected on the couple’s driveway.
Officers were seen removing bags of evidence from within the home, as well as combing through their back garden before examining the inside of a barbecue.
At the same time, police were spotted removing boxes and bags from the SNP’s headquarters in Edinburgh.
Two weeks later, a luxury motorhome was seized from the driveway of Peter Murrell’s mother’s home in Glenrothes.
The £110,000 motor, bought as a “battle bus” for the SNP’s Holyrood election campaign in 2021, was impounded by police and taken to a police custody yard in Glasgow.